IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 351.
The 24-Hour Race Malaysia 2023 at IGB International School
October 5, 2023
IGBIS Phoenix Talks 2023: Exploring the IB Journey with Insight and Inspiration
October 12, 2023
From the Elementary Principal
By Simon Millward
At our Elementary assembly, we had the big announcement of the 2023/24 House Captains. The students had to prepare and deliver speeches as to why they would like to become a house captain, and the Grade 5 students voted on who they thought would be the best people for the role.
I can now share that the House Captains for 2023/24 are:
- Ignis: Shakira and Julian
- Terra: Jun Kai and Hulk
- Aqua: Anna and Jinseo
- Aer: Regina and Emma
We wish these students well as they start to organise social/community-building events. Lead and encourage other house team members in ES events and much more. A big thanks in advance to Ms Nicola, who will guide this group of students.
In addition, the Grade 3 and Grade 4 students voted on who they would like to be on the Social Council this year. These students will be assisting the House Captains but also creating their own community-building activities.
Please congratulate our 2023/24 Social Council:
- Grade 3: Carissa (3M), Hayley (3W), Jack (3W), Allen (3W)
- Grade 4: Chloe L (4B), Emmenuelle (4K), Jadzia (4K), Mia (4K)
A big thanks in advance to Ms. Young, who will guide this group of students.
Thank you to the parents who attended Ms Nicola’s ‘PYP Inquiry workshop’ this week. Whilst few in number, it was a great workshop. I would encourage all parents to attend, as it helps you to understand what we do and why we do it. Also, they are a lot of fun!
Further to Ms Kerri’s Toddle message last week, on Thursday, 12 October 2023, we will have our ‘Book week dress up day’. The theme of the book week is ‘Once upon a time…..’ students will be engaged in different book week activities and then are encouraged to wear clothes that are a character from a Fairy Tale or book.
Finally, I have sent an email reminder to parents about next week's 3 Way and Parent Teacher conference that is happening on Friday, 13 October 2023. There is still time to book an appointment with teachers. Please use the site that was shared in the email.
I look forward to seeing many of you next Friday for the conferences.
Dates for your diaries
- 09 October 2023: Device use and digital safety 8:15 am - 9:15 am
- 09 October - 12 October 2023: Book week.
- 12 October 2023: Book week dress up day: Fairy Tale book characters.
- 13 October 2023: Parent Teacher/3 Way conferences (Face to Face)
- 16 October - 20 October 2023: IGBIS Holiday
From the Secondary Principal
By Sandy van Nooten
We are approaching the halfway point in the Semester and with 3 Way Conferences (3WCs) next Friday, there are lots of assessments going on at the moment. A reminder that we do not ever want a student to have to submit more than 2 data point assessments on one day. That includes Formative and Summative tasks. If you or your child notice that they have more than 2 assessments on one day, please contact the relevant IB Coordinator, and they will help sort things out. (Ideally, give us a few days notice… there is not much we can do if we are only told on the day).
Student leadership - It has been a busy few weeks as students have elected students to our leadership teams. Congratulations to all candidates who put themselves forward. Here’s a list of our new 2023-24 student leaders.
- Student Council (StuCo)
-
- Sophie J (Grade 11)
- Minjae (Grade 11)
- Artem (Grade 9)
- Alia (Grade 8)
- House Council (HoCo)
-
- Aer - Maloe Captain, Rhys Co-Captain
- Terra - Ilyas Captain, Sophia C. Co-Captain
- Aqua - Kian Captain, Xinyi (Bella) Co-Captain
- Ignis - Dongyeon (John) Captain, Kimaya Co-Captain
- Student Ambassador Executives and Class representatives will be announced next week.
Parent workshops in Secondary - Thanks to all the parents who have come to one or more of our workshops. The marketing folks will let you know what’s coming each month. Here’s a link to all the parent workshops in Secondary that we are planning for this year. We will always share the slide deck, and often we will share a recording for those who can’t make it in person.
3 Way Conferences (3WCs) - A reminder that there is no school next Friday (13 October 2023) so that we can run our 3WCs. Secondary conferences are online (10-minute slots), while Elementary conferences are face-to-face. Thanks to everyone who has already signed up. If you have not yet signed up for some 3WCs, please do so as soon as possible (bookings close on Thursday, 12 October 2023 at 12 noon).
All the information you need is available from the email titled ‘3WC - Info and booking link’.
Wellbeing - We have a team of teachers led by Ms Harriet (in HS) and Mr Rohit (in MS) working on our wellbeing classes. The programme is taking shape, and we look forward to sharing details of the scope and sequence as well as our aims and objectives in our parent session in early December. Here are some happy snaps from a Grade 12 cooking class and a Grade 6 learner profile class.
PHE - In the recent PHE unit, the Grade 10s had to form teams, plan, advertise and conduct tournaments and team games during lunch times. Here are some posters, pictures and reflections from the Grade 10 students.
| Reflection | Reflection | |
|---|---|---|
|
Our team organised a bench ball tournament (for grades 6 - 8) on the 20th of September, for our grade 10 PHE assessment. While it started as an assessment, we have developed a menagerie of interpersonal skills that will benefit us later in our lives. For example, communication skills, leadership skills, and organisational skills were needed to successfully complete the tournament. Furthermore, we realized the importance of reflecting through feedback, and from this, we continued to develop and create better tournaments each time. As a group, we feel proud of our achievements and the tournaments we ran. We thank Mr Rohit and Mr Sam for giving us the opportunity to develop these skills and learn the difficulties of being a teacher. (Gaeun and Claire) |
Organising an Ultimate Frisbee tournament was new for all of the group members, but it was enjoyable along with the challenges and achievements. Overall, our tournament was successful, having an adequate number of applicants, and was quoted by many of the participants to be “very organised”. Our group had great communication, and each of us completed the roles that were given to each other at the start of planning the tournament. When we did not have enough applicants and were struggling, we used our personal connections to overcome the challenge. Through designing this tournament, we were able to develop our interpersonal skills such as communication, cooperation, and teamwork. Overall, it was an amazing experience we had where we learned many new skills, learned how to solve challenges, and, most importantly, had fun. (Daeun L) |
|
Four more days of regular school, 3WCs, then it is HOLIDAYs. Thanks for sharing your wonderful kids with us. Have a fantastic weekend!
Regards,
Sandy
From the Community Liaison
By Karishma McDonald
Dear IGBIS community,
It has been a busy couple of weeks for the PVO, with workshops and committee meetings galore! The next PVO gathering is scheduled for 01 November 2023 at 8:15 a.m. This meeting will be a Coffee Catch Up with the Head of School, Elementary School Principal and Secondary School Principal. RSVP forms will be sent out soon, so please watch out for those.
Please remember to check the Splash page (especially the PVO site!) for updates on what we've been up to. Both sites have undergone some reorganisation and upgrading, so please do take a look - it is an ever-evolving work in progress.
We are always open to suggestions on how we can make it easier for you to be more involved in school. Please don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions or suggestions.
We had a bunch of absolutely stunning designs submitted for our 10-Year Celebration Sticker event. The originals will be displayed in the PVO room early next week for everyone to admire. Stickers will be distributed to students early next week as well.
The PVO lounge has new furniture! Come by and check it out!
10 October 2023 is World Mental Health Day - the counselling team has awesome stuff planned, so be sure to check out their section in the newsletter! All students are invited to wear green on that day.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Gala Committee hard at work!
Parents Activities, Events & Workshops Schedule
|
Date |
Time |
Activity/Event/Workshop |
Venue |
|
10 Oct 2023 Tuesday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
Intro to CAS/SL at IGBIS |
PVO Room |
|
12 Oct 2023 Thursday Day 1 |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
TOK & PPS |
PVO Room |
|
24 Oct 2023 Tuesday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
IGBIS Language pathways |
PVO Room |
|
25 Oct 2023 Wednesday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
What’s Next? Wednesday Session: Welcome to Unifrog |
PVO Room |
|
25 Oct 2023 Wednesday |
9:30 am - 10:00 am |
Introduction to Extended Essay (DP) and Reflective Project (CP) |
PVO Room |
|
27 Oct 2023 Friday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
Coffee with the Counselors: Authenticity |
PVO Room |
|
TBC |
TBC |
PW: A Guide to MYP Assessment |
TBC |
|
01 Nov 2023, Wednesday |
8:15 am |
Coffee Catch Up with HoS and Principals |
TBC |
|
06 Nov 2023, Monday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
Parent Session: Preparing of Exam Success |
PVO Room |
|
07 Nov 2023, Tuesday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
PW: MYP Service as Action: Service & Student Agency |
PVO Room |
|
16 Nov 2023, Thursday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
ManageBac - Drop-in Help Session (no appointment necessary, all questions welcome) |
TBC |
|
17 Nov 2023, Friday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
November Coffee with the Counsellors |
PVO Room |
|
24 Nov 2023, Friday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
Parent Session: Introduction to SUMAS (Sustainability and Business Management Uni in Switzerland) |
PVO Room |
|
29 Nov 2023, Wednesday |
8:15 am - 9:15 am |
November What's Next Parent Session |
PVO Room |
From the Counselling Team
With our Mental Health topic for the month being Authenticity, there is so much to share and talk about. The team has been engaging with the students about this topic through their involvement in classes, lunchtime activities, social media posts, our regular Friday Feel good messages and, of course, our daily interactions with students. If you would like to see what we have been sharing with the community, please look us up on Instagram @igbiscounselling.
According to Brene Brown, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be, and embracing who we are." As humans, we all wear a range of different masks. These masks are a metaphor for the way we present, or how different people see us, based on our behaviour and actions in different settings and for different purposes. Sometimes the young people, (our students, your sons and daughters), the ones you see at home, are different from the ones we see at school.
And when we think about our students’ futures, the topics of authenticity and future planning may seem completely disconnected, but actually, they're 100% connected. Until students are willing to be completely who they are, finding a future plan that fits them is going to be a struggle. Every year we watch students bend and push and try to mould themselves to fit into some future plan that is not "them."
To help encourage and support all students in being able to share a little more about their ‘Authentic’ selves, the counselling team are working on a display to celebrate the amazing activities and pursuits the students are involved in outside of school. Very often, these pursuits are a big part of who they are, but we do not see this at school. Encouraging students to share more about these activities, interests and passions with their teachers and peers will help us to see what is under their mask. Providing a platform for students (and parents) to share, allows other students to see activities that they may also be interested in.
These interests may be sporting (hiking, rock climbing, marathons), creative (arts, music, dance), volunteering, involvement with church or youth groups…..the list is endless. We just want to hear about the things our kids do that are important to them. The things they do to help make them who they are. We are asking parents because sometimes students are not as willing to share…(because they are wearing a mask) We invite parents to complete this form and provide us with just a small amount of information, including a photograph for our display.
We would also like to remind you to come along to the next ‘Coffee with the Counsellors’ on Friday, 27 October 2023. The focus of this session will be ‘Authenticity’.
World Mental Health Day
This Tuesday, 10 October 2023 is World Mental Health Day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to champion efforts in support of mental health. With ‘Wellbeing’ as one of our central Pillars, wellness, wellbeing and mental health are some things that are very important to us on a daily basis, not just on World Mental Health Day. We will however take some additional time on Tuesday to reflect and focus on Mental Health to help us continue to grow as learners. There will be a number of things happening throughout the day:
- Secondary students and teachers (and parents if you happen to be at school on Tuesday) are encouraged to come to school wearing green.
The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon or some green clothes to show colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health. - We will hold some activities before school and during breaks
- Before school: ‘I am Enough!’ activity at the turnstiles led by Ms Leanne and Student Ambassadors/Parent Ambassadors
Dance party in the sports hall led by Ms Amanda and Ms Harriet - Break time: Mask-making in the MYP Lounge
Sports Hall Open - Lunch time:
Cookies & Crafts in the MYP Lounge led by Student Ambassadors
Bluey watch party (MPR 6) led by Ms Leanne
Quiet/Rest space in the Yoga room level 7, led by Ms Amanda
Sports Hall Open
- Before school: ‘I am Enough!’ activity at the turnstiles led by Ms Leanne and Student Ambassadors/Parent Ambassadors
Stay tuned in the weeks to come as we share photographs and reflections of these super activities.
The Secondary Wellbeing Team and Counsellors
Harriet Glover, Rohit Shine, Leanne Harvey and Amanda Lopez
Save the Date: Coffee Catch-Up with HoS and Principals on 01 November 2023, Wednesday @ 8:15 am
Join us for an opportunity to meet and chat with our Head of School and Principals over a cup of coffee. Take this chance to share your thoughts, discuss your child’s educational journey, and connect with the leadership team. You will also get to know all about what is happening at school and what we have in plan for the future. Our community liaison will be on hand to assist and address questions or concerns you may have.
Stay tuned for more details, watch this space for upcoming information. Mark your calendars, as there will be much happening! We cannot wait to see you there!
Student Withdrawal and Deposit Refund Policy for Semester 1 of 2023/24 Academic Year
A gentle reminder to please submit the completed Withdrawal Form and Refund - Bank Details Form to our Admissions Department by Sunday, 22nd October 2023, if you plan to withdraw your child by the end of this semester. Please ensure you adhere to this deadline to guarantee a full refund of your deposit.
Thank you.
ISTA Inter-Arts Festival
“Celebrating our ability to tune in and connect through the arts.”
IGBIS will be hosting this coming November's ISTA Inter-Arts Festival for Music, Drama and Visual Arts. This time, we will host visiting schools and need families to host these students.
Meet the Artists Behind the ISTA Workshop: Their Stories and Creativity.
Anoop Mohandas
Anoop is an Actor-Musician hailing from Kerala, India, with over 15 years of experience.
He has over 10 years of experience in the field of theatre as an actor, singer, percussionist, and composer, having performed in a wide range of venues, including the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFOK). He is a co-founder of the FOKIT THEATRE AND DANCE FESTIVAL, which had its first edition in March 2023.
In the field of music, he is a classically trained vocalist, and self-taught percussionist (hand percussion). He is the lead vocalist of kerala based folk-electronic band called VIDWAN (active till 2018) and also part of a vocal and percussion ensemble called ASIMA. He has had the privilege to perform at prestigious venues like the Woodford Folk Festival (AUS), Alchemy Festival(UK), and Mad Festival (IND) with Vidwan and Asima. He is active in the field of Film, as an actor and music composer. He has been a part of feature films and short films that have found its place in a lot of festivals across the globe, like the New York International Film Festival, International Documentary and Shortfilm Festival of Kerala.
Illya Sumanto
llya has produced theatre, spoken word, and Wayang Kulit shows with young people in Asia, Africa, and Europe. An author of one academic book and two graphic novels, she is the founder of Empathy For Youth Academy, a virtual school that teaches emotional literacy and empathy through therapeutic arts. She is currently teaching performing arts in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Jess Thorpe - Creative Lead
Jess is a Director, Lecturer and Author based in Dundee and is currently in post as Associate Director at Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre. Jess is also Co-Executive Producer and Co-Artistic Director of Glass Performance, a theatre company that makes biographical performance work inspired by people and place. She was Co-Artistic Director of the award-winning young people’s theatre collective Junction 25 between 2006 -2020 and currently leads the first-ever youth theatre in a Scottish prison; Polmont Youth Theatre.
In 2015, Jess Thorpe and collaborators were awarded the prestigious CATS Whiskers Award from theatre critics in Scotland for an outstanding contribution to theatre by young people. In 2019 Bloomsbury published her book A Beginners Guide to Devising Theatre, which she co-wrote with Tashi Gore about creating new theatre with young people.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the school year 2023/24 is now underway, our upcoming ISTA festival planning is in full swing. This coming November 23rd to 26th, we will be hosting the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) Inter-Arts Festival. This prestigious event celebrates the power of the arts and offers our students an incredible platform to explore their talents, creativity, and passion.
The ISTA Inter Arts MYP Festival is an immersive experience that combines the magical realms of music, drama, and visual arts for Grade 6, 7 & 8 students. It brings together students from schools across Asia, fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and personal growth. We are proud to be hosting this event and providing our students with the chance to engage with a diverse group of talented individuals.
As part of the festival, we have arranged a captivating excursion for our students. They will have the opportunity to explore and appreciate different forms of traditional and contemporary arts, enriching their understanding of artistic expression. This excursion will serve as a source of inspiration, empowering our students to push their boundaries and explore their own creative potential.
One of the highlights of the ISTA Inter-Arts Festival is the presence of visiting artists and performers. These experts in their respective fields will conduct workshops, mentor our students, and share their insights. This interaction will be invaluable for our students as they gain exposure to new techniques, perspectives, and ideas. These experiences will not only enhance their artistic abilities but also broaden their horizons.
We are delighted that three other esteemed schools from across Asia have already signed up to join us for this event. The collaboration will create a vibrant atmosphere of cultural diversity, fostering connections among our students and their peers from different backgrounds.
We strongly encourage you to support your child's participation in the ISTA Inter-Arts Festival. This event offers a unique platform for them to showcase their talents, gain confidence, and develop skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. We strongly believe that their involvement in this festival will contribute to their overall personal and artistic growth.
In addition, the visiting students will require homestay. So we would ask that you please consider hosting two or more students. Homestay is a wonderful and integral part of the international school experience that we hope to reestablish as part of our school traditions. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and showcase our cultures too.
Thank you for your continued support of our school's commitment to fostering artistic expression and igniting the creative minds of our students. We look forward to working with you to make the ISTA Inter-Arts Festival a resounding success.
More details can be found at https://ista.co.uk/event/kuala-lumpur-ms-inter-arts-festival/
What does it cost?
The festival will cost RM1200 per student.
The fee is used to bring the visiting international and local artists to IGBIS and accommodate them throughout the Festival.
Transport and costs involved in the Out and About excursion.
All meals at IGBIS and other festival costs, including a social event and dinner.
Festival t-shirt.
How do you sign up?
Complete the ISTA 2023 Sign Up form https://forms.gle/RvVSZ9Gjn6m5MNtS6
Event Details:
- Starts on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at 3:00 pm
- Finishes on Sunday, 26 November 2023, at 1:30 pm
- Age range: Middle School (Ages 10 - 14)
- Total Participants: 35 - 55
Host School Participants: Approximately 20 (first 15 host students get host discount rates, and after that, students pay member rates)
ISTA Inter-Arts Festival
“Celebrating our ability to tune in and connect through the arts.”
IGBIS will be hosting this coming November's ISTA Inter-Arts Festival for Music, Drama and Visual Arts. This time, we will host visiting schools and need families to host these students.
Meet the Artists Behind the ISTA Workshop: Their Stories and Creativity.
Anoop Mohandas
Anoop is an Actor-Musician hailing from Kerala, India, with over 15 years of experience.
He has over 10 years of experience in the field of theatre as an actor, singer, percussionist, and composer, having performed in a wide range of venues, including the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFOK). He is a co-founder of the FOKIT THEATRE AND DANCE FESTIVAL, which had its first edition in March 2023.
In the field of music, he is a classically trained vocalist, and self-taught percussionist (hand percussion). He is the lead vocalist of kerala based folk-electronic band called VIDWAN (active till 2018) and also part of a vocal and percussion ensemble called ASIMA. He has had the privilege to perform at prestigious venues like the Woodford Folk Festival (AUS), Alchemy Festival(UK), and Mad Festival (IND) with Vidwan and Asima. He is active in the field of Film, as an actor and music composer. He has been a part of feature films and short films that have found its place in a lot of festivals across the globe, like the New York International Film Festival, International Documentary and Shortfilm Festival of Kerala.
Illya Sumanto
llya has produced theatre, spoken word, and Wayang Kulit shows with young people in Asia, Africa, and Europe. An author of one academic book and two graphic novels, she is the founder of Empathy For Youth Academy, a virtual school that teaches emotional literacy and empathy through therapeutic arts. She is currently teaching performing arts in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Jess Thorpe - Creative Lead
Jess is a Director, Lecturer and Author based in Dundee and is currently in post as Associate Director at Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre. Jess is also Co-Executive Producer and Co-Artistic Director of Glass Performance, a theatre company that makes biographical performance work inspired by people and place. She was Co-Artistic Director of the award-winning young people’s theatre collective Junction 25 between 2006 -2020 and currently leads the first-ever youth theatre in a Scottish prison; Polmont Youth Theatre.
In 2015, Jess Thorpe and collaborators were awarded the prestigious CATS Whiskers Award from theatre critics in Scotland for an outstanding contribution to theatre by young people. In 2019 Bloomsbury published her book A Beginners Guide to Devising Theatre, which she co-wrote with Tashi Gore about creating new theatre with young people.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the school year 2023/24 is now underway, our upcoming ISTA festival planning is in full swing. This coming November 23rd to 26th, we will be hosting the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) Inter-Arts Festival. This prestigious event celebrates the power of the arts and offers our students an incredible platform to explore their talents, creativity, and passion.
The ISTA Inter Arts MYP Festival is an immersive experience that combines the magical realms of music, drama, and visual arts for Grade 6, 7 & 8 students. It brings together students from schools across Asia, fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and personal growth. We are proud to be hosting this event and providing our students with the chance to engage with a diverse group of talented individuals.
As part of the festival, we have arranged a captivating excursion for our students. They will have the opportunity to explore and appreciate different forms of traditional and contemporary arts, enriching their understanding of artistic expression. This excursion will serve as a source of inspiration, empowering our students to push their boundaries and explore their own creative potential.
One of the highlights of the ISTA Inter-Arts Festival is the presence of visiting artists and performers. These experts in their respective fields will conduct workshops, mentor our students, and share their insights. This interaction will be invaluable for our students as they gain exposure to new techniques, perspectives, and ideas. These experiences will not only enhance their artistic abilities but also broaden their horizons.
We are delighted that three other esteemed schools from across Asia have already signed up to join us for this event. The collaboration will create a vibrant atmosphere of cultural diversity, fostering connections among our students and their peers from different backgrounds.
We strongly encourage you to support your child's participation in the ISTA Inter-Arts Festival. This event offers a unique platform for them to showcase their talents, gain confidence, and develop skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. We strongly believe that their involvement in this festival will contribute to their overall personal and artistic growth.
In addition, the visiting students will require homestay. So we would ask that you please consider hosting two or more students. Homestay is a wonderful and integral part of the international school experience that we hope to reestablish as part of our school traditions. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and showcase our cultures too.
Thank you for your continued support of our school's commitment to fostering artistic expression and igniting the creative minds of our students. We look forward to working with you to make the ISTA Inter-Arts Festival a resounding success.
More details can be found at https://ista.co.uk/event/kuala-lumpur-ms-inter-arts-festival/
What does it cost?
The festival will cost RM1200 per student.
The fee is used to bring the visiting international and local artists to IGBIS and accommodate them throughout the Festival.
Transport and costs involved in the Out and About excursion.
All meals at IGBIS and other festival costs, including a social event and dinner.
Festival t-shirt.
How do you sign up?
Complete the ISTA 2023 Sign Up form https://forms.gle/RvVSZ9Gjn6m5MNtS6
Event Details:
- Starts on Thursday, 23 November 2023, at 3:00 pm
- Finishes on Sunday, 26 November 2023, at 1:30 pm
- Age range: Middle School (Ages 10 - 14)
- Total Participants: 35 - 55
Host School Participants: Approximately 20 (first 15 host students get host discount rates, and after that, students pay member rates)
IGBIS Open Day
What role does innovation play in education?
Innovation in education has a vital role in enhancing learning experiences, fostering critical thinking, and preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
IGBIS will be having an OPEN DAY on:
28 October 2023, Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
It would be great if you could share this Open Day information with your friends and family members who are looking for an international school for their children.
On this open day, prospective families will be able to meet our Head of School, Dr Gregory Brunton and the leadership team to engage in a talk on How Innovation Transforms Education. They will get to discover how our dynamic curriculum, innovative teaching methods, and cutting-edge learning environment empower students for an ever-evolving world. There will be a school tour for prospective families to explore our state-of-the-art facilities and a counselling session for them to gain deeper insights into our educational offerings.
At IGBIS, we boast a 92% expatriate teaching staff and embrace students from 35 different nationalities, creating a diverse and globally-minded educational environment.
All attendees receive up to *RM 26,000 rebate and waiver upon enrolment at IGBIS.
*T&Cs apply
You may share this link, https://igbis.edu.my/admissions/openday/, with your friends or family members to know more about IGBIS Open Day and to register.
Referral Incentives Programme
Join us in shaping the future of IGBIS! Your referrals can open new doors for eager learners while fostering a stronger community.
IGBIS parents who refer new students to IGBIS will be entitled to RM2,000 per student or *RM3,000 per family (where there are two or more students in K – 12) through the *Referral Incentives Programme.
*T&Cs apply
Click HERE to access and download the IGBIS Referral Incentive Application form.
Your participation could illuminate new paths for young learners and enrich the tapestry of our educational journey. Together, we illuminate minds and enrich lives. Get started today!
Future Planning Weekly Update
Highlights of the Week
University Fair Success, Part 2!
This week we held our 2 biggest university fairs yet - welcoming a total of nearly 80 universities throughout the week! Thank you students, parents, and staff, for participating and engaging with the visiting universities
A major goal of uni fairs is to provide exposure to programs and schools beyond the "brand names." There are literally thousands of opportunities out there, and you don't know what you don't know. Fairs give us the opportunity to be open-minded, risk-takers, and inquirers about options and opportunities and to learn more beyond just rankings.
While we do not have any additional fairs planned in the immediate future, we do have individual visits booked, and this list updates weekly. You can see all of the planned visits HERE. And make sure to check out our collection of “We Wish More People Knew…” posters from our fairs on our Counsellor's Instagram!
Upcoming Student Counselling Sessions
*All information and resources will be shared with both students and parents via email after each session
- 09 October 2023 - Grade 9 Wellness: The Masks We Wear (Authenticity)
- 11 October 2023 - Grade 12 Lunch & Learn: UCAS Personal Statement Writing Workshop
- 12 October 2023 - Grade 10 AMP: The Masks We Wear (Authenticity)
Completed Student Sessions -
- 25 August 2023 - Grade 10 Study Hall: Getting to Graduation
- 01 September 2023 - Grade 12 3rd & 4th Study Blocks & Lunch: Letters of Recommendation
- 13 September 2023 - Grade 9 Study Hall: Getting to Graduation (credits, grades, transcripts) & How to Work a University Fair
- 15 September 2023 - How to Work a Uni Fair
- 26 September 2023 - Grade 10 Study Hall: Getting to Graduation, Part 2
Upcoming Parent Counselling Sessions
*All information and resources will be shared with parents via email after each session
- 25 October 2023 - What’s Next? Wednesday Sessions: Unifrog
- 27 October 2023 - Coffee with the Counsellors: Authenticity
Completed Parent Sessions -
- 29 August 2023 - Coffee with the Counsellors: Meet & Greet - (K- 12 Parents)
- 15 September 2023 - Coffee with the Counsellors: Pathways and Supports for All Students (K- 12 parents)
- 27 September 2023 - What’s Next? Wednesday Sessions: Getting to Graduation and Beyond
For Grade 12s
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Monday, 9 October 2023 - Anticipated Grades Released in Unifrog
- Wednesday, 11 October 2023 - UCAS Early Application deadline
- Wednesday, 25 October 2023 - Deadline for 01 November and 15 November Applications
- Monday, 27 November 2023 - Deadline for 01 December 2023 - 15 January 2024 Applications
- Monday, 22 January 2024 - Absolute deadline for UCAS Regular Decision
UCAS Personal Statement Writing Workshop host by the United Kingdom Education Centre (UKEC)
- Wednesday, 11 October 2023
- Lunch Time - 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm; (Bring your lunch and get fed - literally and metaphorically)
University Application Help Sessions
As grade 12s do not have a common Study Block, University Help Sessions will be offered via 3 Study Blocks and Lunch. HERE is the schedule.
Info, Opportunities, & Resources
EducationUSA Fair
Engage with 25 U.S. colleges and universities to explore your study abroad options at the EducationUSA Fair, supported by U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur.
14 October 2023 at The Grey Box, GMBB • 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Register today at KL: https://form.evenesis.com/eduUSAkl.
Ritsumeikan University Mock Lectures
Greetings from Kyoto, Japan!
Our mock lectures are back!
We are happy to announce that Ritsumeikan University is delivering a series of mock lectures in October 2023 and November 2023. Our professors are excited to provide lectures to high school students on a wide variety of topics.
Learn more & sign up HERE.
The New Zealand Excellence Awards Scholarships (NZEA) is a unique scholarship scheme designed exclusively for Indian students. They are a joint initiative of Education New Zealand and New Zealand's eight universities which are among the best in the world.
See more information on this Insta Post.
IE University UPdated Programme and Student Experiences
Dual Degree BBA & Fashion Design
UPCOMING EVENT
Northeastern University London Essay Competition 2024
The Northeastern University London Essay Competition is now open! This popular and prestigious essay competition is an opportunity for students to be inspired and explore their academic potential and subject passion. We are inviting essay entries from talented and intellectually curious students around the world, who are in their penultimate year of secondary education (equivalent to Year 12 in England).
Our selection of essay titles engages across a contemporary range of subjects and questions.
The following prizes will be awarded:
- Overall winner across all essay subjects - £1000
- Winner in a subject category - £500
- Runner up in a subject category - £250
Students must register to enter the competition. The deadline for essays to be submitted is 13:00 GMT Sunday, 31 December 2023.
Find more information HERE.
Glion & Les Roches Upcoming Events
10 October 2023, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (SGT): Glion Instagram LIVE: Talk to a Student
Join our live Q&A session hosted by current students and get a heads up on what you need to know before going on campus or ask any burning questions you have. Register here.
11 October 2023, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Singapore Time): Glion Live Campus Tour
Join this unique, live event from the Glion campus in Switzerland, to tour our campus facilities and learn more about our programs and student life. You will also receive advice and guidance on our admissions process. Register here.
12 October 2023, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Singapore Time): Les Roches Live Campus Tour
Join this unique, live event from Switzerland and Spain, to tour our campus facilities and learn more about our programs and student life. You will also receive advice and guidance on our admissions process. Register here.
23 October 2023, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm (Singapore Time): Learn about Bachelor Programmes from Glion
For interested students & parents who would like to learn more about the Bachelor programs, admission requirements, internships, scholarships and employment opportunities. Register here.
University of Toronto Fall Campus Days
We are hosting a series of open houses for our annual Fall Campus Days:
- Virtual Fall Campus Day - Saturday, 28 October 2023
- U of T Scarborough - Sunday, 29 October 2023
- U of T Mississauga - Sunday, 05 November 2023
- U of T St. George - Saturday, 18 November 2023
These are terrific opportunities for students and their families to sample what's in store at U of T and get guidance from the comfort of their own home. Registration will open soon, but your students can keep an eye on our Fall Campus Days page for details.
From The College Essay Guy
October Resources
9th-graders
- College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
- Four-Year Course Planner: Make sure you stay on track for both high school and college requirements by filling out this planner each semester. Review the graduation requirements for each subject area and the different course levels offered. The more selective the college, the more it will want to see you go above and beyond the minimum requirements.
- Big 5 Personality Assessment: Learn more about your strengths, challenges, and communication and learning styles.
- If your counselling office uses MaiaLearning, take a look at the self-assessment options and give them a try.
- If your counselling office uses Scoir, start your YouScience assessment in the app.
- Build healthy routines: Prioritise sleep, healthy food choices and exercise. Stronger physical health = stronger mental health, increased focus and better decision-making skills.
10th-graders
- College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
- YouScience Aptitudes Test: What are you good at? Take this online assessment, which uses a combination of personality, interest, and aptitude testing to help you explore careers that might be a good fit. Or, if your counselling office uses Naviance, try the Do What You Are assessment.
- Virtual college tours: Curious about what college is all about, but not feeling ready for an in-person visit? Have fun searching through these student-driven virtual college tours.
11th-graders
- PSAT: Take the exam and get a feel for what SAT Test Day will be like. Your score will help highlight your test-taking strengths and areas for improvement and will inform your test-prep plan moving forward.
- How to create a college list (with tracking spreadsheet): Use this guide and organizing tool to begin building a list of schools that you are excited about.
- How to research schools without visiting a campus: You do not need to step on a college campus to begin researching schools. Here are four resources that will show you how.
- Going test-optional: What is it? Confused about whether or not test scores matter? Here’s an overview of what you need to know.
- FairTest: Looking for a comprehensive list of colleges and universities with test-optional admission policies? Here you go.
- Dealing with learning differences? Researching the available support services and programs will be a critical part of your list building. Learn the differences between accommodations in high school and services offered at colleges.
12th-graders
- How to Decide Whether to Apply Early Decision or Early Action: Double-check your ED/EA deadlines—some fall as early as October 15th. Note that some school-based scholarships require that you apply by the early deadline.
- University of California and CSU: For those of you applying to the UC and CSU systems, the applications are due on November 30th.
- FAFSA + CSS PROFILE: Start filling out these forms to make sure to meet the deadlines set by the colleges on your list.
- College Application Fee Waivers: Find out if you qualify for fee waivers and, if so, how to get them.
- Resource guide for low-income students or those experiencing homelessness: Learn more about college costs, financial aid, and available services.
- Supplemental essay responses: If you’re applying to schools that require additional essays beyond the main personal statement, this is a must-read.
- Interview with colleges that offer them: Depending on the school, you can either sign up on its website or respond to an invitation it sends via email.
- Demonstrated interest: Remember that it’s important to let the colleges on your list know that you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit your school, your community, or via virtual sessions online.
- Research scholarships: Continue to research scholarship opportunities, making special note of requirements and deadlines.
(Sustainable) Business Programs at no. 2 Applied Uni in the Netherlands
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences offers two English-taught Bachelor’s degree programmes:
- Global Project and Change Management: a unique business programme for students who want to change the world in a positive way, students who care about climate change, want to eradicate hunger, disease, discrimination, who want to make organizations more sustainable in a business-like way.
After graduation, students start their professional careers at NGOs (like Unicef, Red Cross), governments (for example, EU, municipalities), companies like Coca-Cola to work on their corporate social responsibility programme, or they start their own businesses. 20 students per class, housing guaranteed in year one.
>> Read the flyer
>> Watch the video
- International Business, a broad business programme about Finance and Accounting, Marketing and Sales, Supply Chain Management and Organization and People. More universities offer this programme, but what stands out for our programme is the fact that Dutch language classes are included (which is very convenient when students do their internship in our country or apply for a part-time job), the very small classes (only 15 students), the personal approach and the close collaboration with the work field (internships, projects, guest lectures).
>> Read the flyer
>>Watch the video
We organise webinars for international students where we will tell about both our English-taught business programmes:
- 17 October 2023, 7:00 pm Central European Summer Time
- 12 December 2023, 7:00 pm Central European Time
We also organise online and on-campus open days, were students can join sessions per programme. These are for both international students, and students from the Netherlands:
- 10 November 2023, 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm in Zwolle
- 26 January 2023, 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm in Zwolle
- 09 April 2023, 7:00 pm online
- 12 April, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm in Zwolle
Worth a Read… It has been a week of Rankings releases - below are some highlights from the news
Popular Resources and FAQs
- 2023-2024 Future Planning Handbook
- Class of 2024 Future Planning Timelines
- 2023-2024 Anticipated Grades Process
- Unifrog
Questions, Support, and Help
- Amanda Lopez - Grades 9 - 12 Universities Counselling & Social/Personal Counselling
- To schedule an appointment -
- Parents - https://calendly.com/lopez-igbis/parent-community-meeting
- Students - https://bit.ly/IGBHSCounselor
- Email - amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my
Follow Us on Instagram, Facebook and our In-house Counselling Website
It is about time we joined Social Media, so please follow us! The IGBIS Counselling Team is now on social media, and we will highlight all things counselling, which includes future planning information, resources, and events coverage.
Follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook - @igbiscounselling and on our in-house Google webpage.
